Development of a Nurse-Led Competency-Based Program for Therapeutic Endoscopy

Abstract

Therapeutic endoscopy is emerging as an innovating alternative to gastroenterology surgery. Due to the increase in new technologies, endoscopy clinical staff require ongoing education to develop safe, competent practice for new equipment and supplies. Maintaining competencies with new equipment and supplies can be challenging. This article illustrates the development and implementation of a continuous educational program for endoscopy clinical staff at a major academic medical center. An initial needs assessment of staff education and competency led to the multidisciplinary plan for continuous education. Development of the Nurse Product Procedure Group enabled endoscopy staff to standardize care and maintain competency in advanced therapeutic procedures. The Nurse Product Procedure Group offers various pathways of learning to meet clinical staff's individual learning needs. Over a 5-year span of implementation, staff satisfaction of education and resources improved. Key implementation elements of the Nurse Product Procedure Group include monthly staff education, resource development, multidisciplinary collaboration, cost savings, outreach education, and external collaboration with national and international gastroenterology professional organizations and societies.

Original Research: A Real ‘Voice’ or ‘Lip Service’? Experiences of Staff Nurses Who Have Served on Staffing Committees

“…[10][11][12] Hospital nursing committees or councils generally engage nurses in shared decision-making processes Findings from a qualitative study concerning work environments and patient care. 13 These entities can have a narrow focus, aimed at contributing to the governance of a specific issue (for example, promoting better interdisciplinary collaboration through staff education in order to attain best practices for procedures) 14 ; or they can have a broader focus, aimed at contributing to the governance of nursing units or improving the work environment. 15,16 For this study, the term nurse staffing committee was defined as a committee, council, or group where nurse staffing is the primary purpose of or is central to the group's functioning.…”